On November 19, 1982, a group of students in a Grant County,
New
Mexico, junior high school became ill, with symptoms of headache,
chills, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. An investigation by the
New
Mexico Health and Environment Department (NMHED) showed that
illness
was confined to students who attended the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. home
economics classes on November 19, where fruit punch and cookies
prepared the previous evening were served.

Eighteen (69%) of 26 students who drank punch reported illness,
but none of the five who did not drink punch reported illness (p =
0.007). The percentage of illness was higher among those who drank
4
or more ounces of punch (89%) than those who drank less than 4
ounces
(40%) (p = 0.046). Illness was not associated with eating cookies.

Onset of illness ranged from 5 minutes to 2 hours after the
punch--a mixture of two brands of commercial fruit punch, lemonade,
and ginger ale--was consumed. The mixture was stored overnight in
three 5-gallon water containers that had galvanized metal linings,
with large areas of corrosion. The punch was transferred to
plastic
pitchers immediately before it was served.

Editorial Note

Editorial Note: Zinc is a major constituent of galvanized metal.
On
contact with acidic foods and beverages, it is converted to zinc
salts, which are readily absorbed by the body.

Outbreaks of illness mainfested by fever, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramps, and diarrhea have been reported after consumption
of
foods or beverages prepared or stored in galvanized containers
(1-3).
Onset of symptoms has ranged from a few minutes to 24 hours, with
the
shorter periods associated with ingestion of liquids (3). In
previously reported outbreaks, zinc levels found in contaminated
foods
or beverages have exceeded 1,000 parts per million. The emetic
dose
of zinc is 225-450 mg for adults (4), but may be lower for
teenagers
with lower body weights. Although only two students in this
episode
vomited, 83% complained of nausea.

The Food and Drug Administration considers galvanized metal an
unacceptable surface material for equipment and utensils used with
food and beverages (other than water) (5).

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